No BLM Top Option for Wyo Gas Field Raises Concern

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management says it realizes not coming out in favor of a specific plan for a massive gas drilling project in Wyoming is unusual. But, the agency says all the proposals had good ideas in them.

The BLM says it will settle on a preferred plan when it releases a final environmental impact analysis for the Continental Divide-Creston project next year. The project could see roughly 9,000 new gas wells in the high desert north and south of Wamsutter.

The five development options range from not allowing any new drilling to allowing each new well to be drilled from its own pad.

Gov. Matt Mead's office says it has impressed upon the BLM that it doesn't want the indecisiveness to become a trend. The Wyoming Outdoor Council urged the BLM to go about the project in a way that doesn't exacerbate wintertime ozone pollution.